Sep 2, 2026
On 26 September, we will kick off the celebrations of Paide’s 735th birthday with the Foraging Festival!
Come and spend a lovely autumn day in Paide, enjoy seasonal produce, good food, exciting activities and festival fun for the whole family.
Autumn Fair
From 10:00 to 16:00, an autumn market will take place on Paide Central Square, Tallinna Street and at the Wittenstein Activity Museum. Visitors can browse a wide selection of handicrafts, farm products, forest produce, preserves and other seasonal goods.
Vendors who would like to take part are kindly asked to contact us by phone at +372 5549899 or by e-mail at info@wittenstein.ee.
On Paide Central Square
11:30 – Performance by the folk dance group Säsi, led by Monika Kirss.
12:00 – Kolm Põrsakest SCIENCE THEATRE
The science show is a fairy-tale-like spectacle filled with exciting experiments that you will not easily forget. As you would expect from a proper science show, there will be smoke, flashes and bangs. With Kolm Põrsakest, half an hour flies by in a fun and entertaining way, while both younger and older science enthusiasts will pick up plenty of new and exciting knowledge.
12:45–13:15 – Young soloists from Hammerbeck Basic School, led by Malle Anton.
13:30 – Youth band La Ettura, featuring Hans Heiki Tahur, Karl Truus, Gregor Helbma and Tristan Vissak, followed by youth band Killed in Action, featuring Remy Laar, Uku-Bert Aare and Lisanne Jasmiin Simson.
“Paide’s Most Beautiful Dog” competition
Starting at 13:00, we will find out who will earn the title of “Paide’s Most Beautiful Dog”!
Dogs of all sizes and ages are welcome to take part. The competition will be held in five categories: dogs taller than knee height, dogs below knee height, puppies up to 12 months old, veterans aged 8 years and older, and child & dog.
Participation fee: €10.
Registration: Paide Koerteklubi MTÜ
More information and registration: Kristi +372 56259057, Marika +372 5168333
At the Wittenstein Activity Museum:
Various workshops led by skilled craftspeople.
Jam competition – at the Foraging Festival, we will find the best sweet and savoury jams!
Participants are asked to bring their jam to the ticket desk of the Wittenstein Activity Museum by 10:00 on 26 September.
Wittenstein Tavern will serve dishes made with seasonal autumn ingredients.
The Järva District of Naiskodukaitse will also be present in the courtyard of the Wittenstein Activity Museum, sharing practical knowledge about crisis preparedness and how to cope independently in an emergency.
See you at the Foraging Festival on 26 September!
Participation in the event is FREE!
Sep 2, 2026
Guitar Duo Kartau/Kiivit – “Nordic Music for Two Guitars”
Two guitars, six Nordic countries and music that takes the audience on a journey across the North.
The guitar duo Kartau/Kiivit presents the concert series “Nordic Music for Two Guitars”, featuring works by composers from Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. The programme brings together different musical languages, moods and stories, all connected by the distinctive sensitivity of Nordic music and the unique sound of two guitars.
The programme includes works by:
🇪🇪 Estonia – Karl Petti and Veljo Värk
🇫🇮 Finland – Harri Wessman
🇸🇪 Sweden – Georg Wadenius
🇳🇴 Norway – Morten Gaathaug
🇩🇰 Denmark – Anders Koppel
🇮🇸 Iceland – Sigfus Einarsson
With this programme, Kartau/Kiivit explore the common threads running through Nordic music. At times minimalist and reflective, at others rhythmic and playful, the music also evokes a sense of openness and the vast landscapes of the North.
The intimate combination of two guitars allows the audience to hear every detail and discover just how many different colours and textures can be created with only two instruments.
Concerts
Saturday, 19 September – Sadamaait, Kuressaare
Tuesday, 22 September – Wittensteini Tegevusmuuseum, Paide
Wednesday, 23 September – ankruSaal, Tallinn
Thursday, 24 September – Ukuaru, Rakvere
Friday, 25 September – Linnamuuseum, Tartu
Come and discover the sound of the Nordic countries through two guitars – familiar and unexpected, intimate and distant, calm and vibrant.
Kartau/Kiivit – “Nordic Music for Two Guitars”
Five concerts. Six Nordic countries. Two guitars. One musical journey.
Tickets: https://fienta.com/et/s/kitarriduo-kartau-kiivit-pohjamaade-muusikat-kahele-kitarrile
Aug 28, 2026
Exhibition “Estonian Book 500” Opens at Wittenstein Time Centre
On 3 September at 12:00, the exhibition “Estonian Book 500” will open at Wittenstein Time Centre, located in the Paide Rampart Tower.
At the opening, historian and Senior Researcher at Tallinn University Aivar Põldvee will take visitors on a journey back to the early days of Estonian book history.
The exhibition was created as part of the Estonian Book Year 2025–2026 in cooperation with Tallinn University, Tallinn City Archives and the Art Museum of Estonia. In its original form, the exhibition was displayed at the Niguliste Museum in Tallinn together with important artefacts from the history of Estonian written culture and books. It was later presented at the Estonian Literary Museum in Tartu.
At Wittenstein Time Centre, the exhibition panels are displayed along the stairway of the Paide Rampart Tower, offering visitors an opportunity to travel through the history of Estonian books and learn about the development of Estonian written culture.
The exhibition was curated by Aivar Põldvee from Tallinn University, Lea Kõiv from Tallinn City Archives and Tiiu Reimo. The graphic design was created by Asko Künnap.
The opening of the exhibition “Estonian Book 500” will take place on 3 September at 12:00 at Wittenstein Time Centre in the Paide Rampart Tower.
After the opening, the exhibition can be visited during the regular opening hours of Wittenstein Time Centre, Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
Further information:
Ründo Mülts
SA Ajakeskus Wittenstein / Järvamaa Museum
+372 5668 2165
Jul 24, 2026
Visit Wittenstein Time Centre and Wittenstein Activity Museum During the Opinion Festival
The Opinion Festival will take place in Paide on 7–8 August. Between the discussions, visitors can also enjoy time travel, discover traditional crafts, take part in workshops, listen to live music and enjoy good food. Both Wittenstein Time Centre and Wittenstein Activity Museum will welcome visitors throughout the festival.
Wittenstein Activity Museum
During the Opinion Festival, visitors to Wittenstein Activity Museum can discover life in a 19th-century small town, learn about traditional professions, watch craftspeople at work and take part in a special programme.
Friday, 7 August
10:00–18:00 – Crafts workshops at the Activity Museum
Visitors can explore traditional professions, working methods and skills in the museum’s workshops and watch craftspeople at work.
15:00–16:00 – Historical weapons workshop
The workshop offers a closer look at historical weapons, their use and the traditions connected with them.
20:00–22:00 – Live music evening and dinner
Enjoy dinner and live music in the courtyard of Wittenstein Activity Museum. The evening’s musical atmosphere will be created by saxophonist Gunnar Laanejõe, pianist Risto Iljas and youth bands Süntaks and Killed in Action.
22:30 – Mysterious Night Walk Through Paide Old Town
Late on the first evening of the Opinion Festival, historian Ründo Mülts will lead participants on a mysterious night walk through Paide Old Town. The walk begins at Wittenstein Activity Museum (Tallinna tn 9/11, Paide).
23:00–01:00 – Wittenstein Courtyard Party: Paide Bands
The music programme continues late into the evening with a free courtyard party. Süntaks, Exitum and Exanity, will take the stage.
Saturday, 8 August
10:00–18:00 – Crafts workshops at the Activity Museum
The museum and it’s workshops will also be open on the second day of the festival, offering visitors the opportunity to discover traditional professions, tools and skills.
The Wittenstein Tavern will be open at the Activity Museum on both festival days, providing a place to enjoy a meal between discussions and museum visits.
Wittenstein Activity Museum is located at Tallinna Street 9/11, Paide.
Wittenstein Time Centre
Located on Paide Vallimägi Hill, Wittenstein Time Centre takes visitors on a journey through eight floors and eight eras of Estonian history. During the Opinion Festival, the regular time-travel experience will be complemented by an exhibition dedicated to the history of the Estonian book.
The Flavours Through the Ages restaurant, located in the tower of Wittenstein Time Centre, will be open on both festival days.
Friday, 7 August
10:00–18:00 – A Journey Through the History of the Estonian Book
In addition to travelling through the different eras of Estonian history, visitors can explore an exhibition introducing the development and history of the Estonian book.
Saturday, 8 August
10:00–18:00 – A Journey Through the History of the Estonian Book
The exhibition dedicated to the history of the Estonian book and the journey through Estonian history will also be open on the second day of the festival.
15:00–16:00 – Lecture “Estonian National Foods – the Foundation of Estonian Identity”
The lecture explores the development of Estonian national foods and the role of food in Estonian culture and identity.
Wittenstein Time Centre is located at Veski Street 11, Paide.
Take a break between the Opinion Festival discussions, travel through history, discover traditional crafts, join a workshop or lecture, and enjoy live music and good food at Wittenstein!
Jul 20, 2026
Järvamaa Museum Celebrates Its 121st Birthday
On 31 July, we will celebrate the 121st birthday of Järvamaa Museum and invite everyone to visit the Wittenstein Activity Museum at Tallinna Street 9/11 in Paide.
Throughout the day, visitors can explore exhibitions, take part in workshops and enjoy fascinating talks about the nature and history of Järvamaa.
On this special day, museum admission is 50% off, and entry is free for members of the Friends of Järvamaa Museum Society. The café, museum herb shop, craft workshops and the Time Capsule 5D cinema will also be open.
Programme
12:00
Lecture and workshop “The Natural Diversity of Paide Vallimägi” with herbalist Jana Olesk.
13:00
Opening of the new children’s exhibition “Barbies, Kens and Other Dolls with Their Houses and Cars from Heli Mänd’s Collection”. Bring your favourite toy and come celebrate with us! A special programme for children will also take place.
14:00
Introduction to the exhibition “Animals from the Forests of Järvamaa”. Zoologist Peep Männil will speak about the natural diversity of Järvamaa.
15:00
Presentation of the one-day exhibition “The Archaeology of Terror: The Example of President Päts”. The topic will be introduced by archaeologist and member of the Friends of Järvamaa Museum Society Ants Kraut.
15:30
Annual meeting of the Friends of Järvamaa Museum Society.
16:00
Birthday cake will be served.
Come and celebrate the 121st birthday of Järvamaa Museum with us!
Jun 17, 2026
MõistmisFEST invites you to meet, listen and understand
On 11 July, MõistmisFEST – Meet, Listen, Understand will take place at Paide Vallimägi.
MõistmisFEST is a community event supporting integration, creating a meeting place for Estonians and people of other nationalities. The aim of the festival is to bring people together to share experiences, cultures and stories, and to reflect together on how to adapt and find one’s place in a new environment.
Visitors can enjoy discussions, practical workshops, various activities and a diverse cultural programme. During the evening, cultural groups will perform, and Gunnar Laanejõe and Alessandro Minimo will present a musical performance combining live saxophone and EDM.
The programme also includes a panel discussion on how to adapt to a new environment and find one’s place. The discussion will be moderated by film director Aljona Suržikova.
The evening will end with performances by Púr Múdd and Grete Paia.
Doors open at 17:30. The event starts at 18:00.
18:00–18:05 Opening remarks.
18:05–18:15 Musical greeting by the Järvamaa Ukrainian Society “SMERITŠKA”, led by Anna Loovili.
18:15–18:45 The Congress of Ukrainians in Estonia presents singer Mariia Hrabchuk and violinist Volodymyr Potapenko.
18:45–19:00 EDM by Alessandro Minimo.
19:00–20:00 Discussion: “How to adapt to a foreign environment and find your place?”
Anna Sergejeva, an Estonian actress of Ukrainian origin known from “Õnne 13”; Olya Khoroshko, who worked as a journalist in Ukraine and came to Estonia because of the war; Timur Mazitov, a Tatar who has received Estonian citizenship; Roman Kruk, a young man from Ukraine now living in Türi, who won the national olympiad in Estonian as a second language; and Eve Hurtado, an Estonian who lived in Colombia for 22 years and has been living in Estonia again since 2024, working as a teacher at Koeru Secondary School.
The discussion will be moderated by Aljona Suržikova. She is a film director who has made documentaries about the war in Ukraine and is also the initiator of the Käru Museum.
20:00–20:20 Estonian mezzo-soprano and opera singer Merje Uppin with pianist Risto Iljas.
20:25–20:45 Live saxophone + EDM – Gunnar Laanejõe and Alessandro Minimo.
21:00 Concert by Grete Paia and Púr Múdd.
Admission is free.
Additional information about the project
The event is implemented with the co-financing of the European Social Fund Plus, within the framework of project No. 2021-2027.4.07.24-0017 “Supporting community-based activities that promote integration”. The implementation of the project is coordinated by the Ministry of Culture, and the Estonian Folk Culture Centre is a project partner.
The aim of the project is to increase the participation of newly arrived, people with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and returnees in community-based activities.
More information about the project “Community-based activities promoting integration” is available from the regional mentor of the Estonian Folk Culture Centre:
RAPLA, JÄRVA AND LÄÄNE-VIRU COUNTIES
Anne Ummalas
+372 5385 2677
anne.ummalas@rahvakultuur.ee
